19/07/24 – Gloucester, Newport and Caldicot

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Starting in Gloucester, recognized for its historical significance as the burial site of King Edward II and Walter de Lacy, I embarked on an excursion. After exploring a few brewery establishments in Gloucester Docks, I then proceeded to visit two Micropubs located in the city centre. Subsequently, I made my way to Newport and Caldicot, where I had the opportunity to visit three breweries and a Micropub.

Gloucester Docks

Today, I began my day in Gloucester, taking a brief stroll from the Railway Station to the docks. These docks, which date back to the early 19th Century, were once bustling with the trade of timber and grain. Now, they have been meticulously restored and offer a plethora of bars, cafes, and a shopping area for visitors to indulge in. It has fifteen Victorian warehouses stand as proud guardians to Britain’s most inland port. 

Gloucester Brewery Tap

Warehouse 4, situated in the dock area, is where Gloucester Brewery and its taproom are located. It is a spacious area that accommodates the taproom, brewery, and shop, as well as an excellent outdoor seating area. The brewery section is visible from the mezzanine floor upstairs, which also features Gloucester’s only self-serve bar. I received a very warm welcome from the staff behind the bar today.

There is a wide selection available at the bar, with 10 keg lines offering beers, lagers, and ciders, as well as a cask line. I began by trying the “Summer Haze,” a fantastic hazy pale ale that is easy to drink and bursting with flavour. Next, I sampled the “Sting,” a wonderfully tangy sour beer that has been fermented with Apricots.

Hop Kettle

After a short walk, I reached “Hop Kettle”, a bar operated by Swindon’s Hop Kettle Brewery, which I had the opportunity to visit last year. The bar consists of two levels, with the lower level having outdoor seating and a balcony that overlooks Gloucester Docks. It is a delightful and stylish bar, and I received a warm welcome from the staff behind the bar.

The bar presents a selection of Hop Kettles beers, including 10 keg lines and 6 cask lines, offering a range of styles and strengths. I opted for the “NZ Session,” a delightful citrusy pale ale that is both refreshing and easy to drink.

The Drunken Duck

I had a stroll back to the heart of Gloucester to visit “The Drunken Duck”, previously recognized as Angie’s. This petite Micropub is renowned as the smallest bar in Gloucester, nestled in a secluded side street, making it a delightful hidden treasure. The establishment boasts comfortable outdoor seating and a cosy interior, with the added bonus of a selection of retro arcade games upstairs.

The bar features a selection of four cask beers, each representing different styles. Among them is their signature bitter called “Original Duck”, brewed by Butcombe Brewing Co. based in Bristol. I opted for this particular beer due to its smooth taste and rich flavour profile.

The Turks Head Inn

During my final visit in Gloucester, I made my way to “The Turks Head Inn”. I had previously been to their old location several years ago, but they relocated to their current spot in April 2022. This establishment is quite unique, with various items showcased in the windows and suspended from the ceiling. The staff behind the bar greeted me warmly, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

There is a wide variety of 4 cask ales available at the bar, as well as an impressive assortment of 15 ciders across from the bar. I chose the “Super Hero” from Tudor Brewery, a brewery based in Wales. It is a wonderful American pale ale that is rich in flavour.

I next took a stroll back to Gloucester Railway Station in order to catch a train to Newport.

Weird Dad Brewery

I took a brief stroll out of town to reach “Weird Dad Brewery”. This is an exceptional brewery and taproom. I received a warm welcome and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with the owner, Lee. The brewery also boasts a lovely beer garden on the side.

There is an impressive selection of both cask and keg beers available, offering a choice of 4 cask beers and 11 keg beers, in addition to a variety of ciders. Furthermore, the establishment serves as a bottle and can shop with a wide array of options to select from. I began with the “Socks & Sandals” pale ale from their brewery, which was a delightful and refreshing choice. For my second beverage, I opted for the “Blood Orange, Apricot & Lime Smoothie Sour” beer from New Bristol Brewery and Yonder Brewing, which provided a delicious blend of tartness and fruitiness.

Cellar Door

Returning past the Railway Station and crossing the bridge led me to my next destination in Newport – “Cellar Door”. This former shop has been converted into Newport’s inaugural Micropub, which opened its doors in November 2017. It’s a wonderful one-room Micropub with seating both at the front and rear. Matthew, who is also a brewer for Misfit Brewing, gave me a warm welcome.

Today at the bar, there are 2 cask ales, 4 keg beers, and 3 ciders available. I began with the “Sunshine Reggae” American Pale Ale from Fine Tuned Brewery in Somerset, which had a delightful taste. Next, I tried the “Trash Panda” coffee and chocolate porter from the local Misfit Brew Co. Finally, I ended my tasting journey with the “Trickster” strong pale ale from Dark Element Brew Co in Caerphilly.

Hive Mind Brewing

After returning to the Railway Station, I took a brief trip to nearby Caldicot. A 25-minute stroll into an industrial estate led me to “Hive Mind Brewing”, a remarkable and captivating establishment that utilizes honey from over 1.5 million bees located at the back to create Mead and Beers, along with other products. It’s truly something exceptional that isn’t encountered every day. Kit, Matt, and the team gave me a wonderful warm reception this evening.

I began by sampling their “Classic Mead”, a delectably sweet and rich flavour that is enhanced by the addition of honey. Following that, I experienced the “Barrel Aged Mead”, which exudes a potent whiskey aroma but offers a remarkably smooth and delightful taste.

They offered a variety of meads and beers at the bar, including a guest beer. I began with “The Pollinator,” a delightful hazy pale ale made with bee pollen. Then, I tried the “Pure Mead,” a delicious medium sweet sparkling mead. Following that, I enjoyed the “Lime & Mint Mead,” which was refreshing and palate-cleansing. Finally, I ended my tasting with the guest beer “Session Pale Ale” from Antur Brew Co. in Wales, a light and smooth pale ale.

Zulu Alpha Brewing

Upon arriving at another nearby industrial estate, I reached my final stop, “Zulu Alpha Brewery”. This facility houses both the brewery and taproom, which was quite lively tonight with an outdoor live singer and a food vendor. The team warmly greeted me this evening.

The selection of 9 beers is impressive, with a guest pilsner and a variety of styles and strengths. I opted for “Life’s a Beach”, a delightful, light, and hazy pale ale that is bursting with flavour and incredibly refreshing.